Do I have to take part? No

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What will happen if I take part?

• You will get allocated to one of the two web-based anxiety treatments for the first 6 weeks

• We will guide you over the telephone

• After 6 weeks we would like you to continue using the website regularly for another 10 weeks

• At around 20 weeks we will email you a simple final follow-up survey 

• If you wish to, you can have access to the website given the other group for another 10 weeks (optional)

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​What are the web-based treatments?​

​The TASK web-based treatments include the following:

• Learning ways to overcome your anxiety after stroke/ 'mini-stroke'

• Relaxation techniques

• A simple online task each week

• Therapeutic videos

• Text reminders and participant diary card

• Links to useful stroke resources and websites

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Do these treatments work?​

• Similar treatments work in people without a stroke

• We want to know if they also work for people after stroke and TIA

• We hope you will find them helpful

• Your participation helps improve future treatments for other people

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Are there any risks to taking part?

• Some people may find it stressful to think about things that worry them

• We hope this will settle with our treatments over time

• Contact us if you need to speak to someone about this

• Occasionally, we may have to inform the participant's GP to arrange treatment if the anxiety or depression is severe

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What data do you collect? 

• Your contact details and some background information about you

• Your answers to our online surveys on anxiety, mood, & quality of life

• There are three surveys: (1) at the start of the study (2) at midpoint, and (3) at final follow-up at 20 weeks

• You will receive an email and text reminder for each survey

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How important is it that I complete these online surveys?

• Very important

• Your answers are the only way for us to draw meaningful conclusions about these treatments

• Without your data (your answers) we will not be able to improve future treatments for other patients

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How will you keep my personal information confidential?

• We do not share your personal details with anyone outside the TASK research team

• All your personal data are stored securely at the University of Edinburgh (click here for technical information)

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Will you inform my GP?​

• We will write to your GP to let him/her know you are taking part in the TASK study

• We may contact your GP to confirm your diagnosis of stroke/TIA

(only if we are unable to confirm it using hospital records)

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What happens to audio-recording of my telephone session?

• We use a digital recorder to record our telephone session

• This is so that we can monitor the quality of the telephone guidance 

• We transcribe anonymously the audio-recording into a written format 

• Transcripts do not contain any personal details

• Any audio-recording is immediately erased after transcription

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Has this study been reviewed by a research ethics committee?​

• The South East Scotland Research Ethics Committee has reviewed this study and given a favourable opinion (17/SS/0143)​

 

Invitation to wear an 'activity monitor' (optional) during the TASK study

• We invite you to consider wearing our 'activity monitor' on your wrist during the TASK study

 

​The monitor measures movement, sleep, light & temperature​

• We can give you a report on your activity and sleep at the end of the TASK study

• No personal details are stored on the device

• Wear it for as long as you can, and as continuously as you can

• You can remove it for shower, bath or whenever you feel you need to

• Very rarely people can get skin irritation wearing a device like this

  • If this happens, remove it immediately and contact the TASK research team

• We will arrange postal delivery and collection of the 'activity monitor' 

Contact the TASK research team if you wish to find out more about any aspects of the TASK study

• Contact details of the TASK research team

 

How to sign up to the TASK study?

• Please complete our  secure online 'Sign up & consent form' 

• The TASK research team will contact you by telephone to confirm your eligibility and details within 5 working days

Can I change my mind after signing the consent form?

• Yes

• Taking part in the TASK study is entirely voluntary

• You can withdraw from the study any time, without giving any reason

• We would encourage you to complete our online surveys even if you haven't received the TASK treatments

• Withdrawing from the TASK study will not affect the standards of  treatment you receive from the National Health Service

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Concerns or complaints about the TASK study?

• Please contact members of the TASK research team, we will try to resolve your concerns

• If you want to contact someone who is independent and not part of the TASK research team you can contact: Dr Fergus Doubal (Consultant stroke doctor)  (Tel: 0131 465 9602)

• Or contact Patient Experience Team, NHS Lothian, 2nd Floor, Waverly Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG (Tel: 0131 536 3370)